Dimapur, March 9 (MExN): The economic blockade imposed by Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATSA) in the Assam-Nagaland border areas of Mariani areas adjoining Mokokchung district has begun with effect from 6 am today.
During the period of blockade, travellers from Nagaland are asked by the blockade organisers to offload their rations and other commercial items. A number of Naga travellers are also reported to have been manhandled by blockade volunteers, DIO of Mokokchung Temsu Wathi Ao informed in a note today.
It was informed that Nagaland-bound vehicles including an NST bus travelling from Dimapur to Mangkolemba were stopped from proceeding. According to the DIO, the vehicles were allowed to proceed after a long negotiation. “As per a reliable source, few Naga travellers travelling in private vehicles were harassed by the volunteers where women and minor children were occupants in the vehicles. It is alleged that the Law enforcing agencies present nearby acted mute spectator without extending any assistance to them,” the DIO said.
In the afternoon today, Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) members visited a border village in Nagaland and Naganijan tea estate in Assam where on March 4, some unidentified Naga youths reportedly threatened tea cultivators against farming on Nagas’ land. The incident led to the blockade.
“It is therefore advised to the road users from Nagaland not travel through these routes temporarily till such time the blockade is lifted and avoid any confrontation/untoward incidents,” DIO Ao stated.
